Demaryius Thomas' brief stint in Houston is coming to an end.
The Texans are expected to release the veteran wide receiver on Tuesday, according to NFL Network.
Thomas, 31, was acquired in October by the Texans in a trade with the Broncos for a fourth-round pick and a swap of seventh-rounders but suffered a torn right Achilles tendon in the last week of the regular season against the Eagles. He is due a non-guaranteed $14 million salary in 2019.
Thomas said last month that his return to Houston was "up in the air" because of the presence of young wide receivers Keke Coutee and Will Fuller V.
He said he was not thinking about retiring.
Thomas played in seven games for the Texans, catching 23 balls for 275 yards and two touchdowns before the injury. He is owed $14 million on the last year of his deal, making it unlikely the Texans would keep him.
Thomas has 688 catches for 9,330 yards and 62 touchdowns in his nine-year NFL tenure.
"My main priority right now is getting back healthy. I can still play, man. I'm not thinking about retirement. I just don't know where it will be," he told reporters, according to the Houston Chronicle.
While Patriots wide receiver rumors run rampant at this time of year, the Patriots and Thomas have some history.
It was reported by NFL Network's Mike Giardi two days before Thomas was traded to Houston, that the Patriots had discussed a trade for the then Broncos receiver. Thomas was first drafted by Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels when he was the head coach at Denver.
Patriots coach Bill Belichick is known to take fliers on veteran players, often times wide receivers he can get at injury discounts.
Thomas, fresh off an Achilles injury and without a team, may be ripe for the picking.
